Mercurius
Legend
1E sold waaaaaaaay more than 2E did, IIRC, and B/X and BECMI sold more than either.
Yeah, but this is a case where the history is important. 1E boomed in the early 80s then declined in the mid-80s. 2E simply didn't lead to another boom. And then, of course, there is the over-extension of the mid-90s, which was a major factor in TSR's collapse.
I think their future business model doesn't have much to do with people over 25 or so unless they have kids. They are less interested in selling books to the hardcore, and more interested in getting the ENdless Quest books out there to create a new generation of players.
If they succeed in creating a youth ramp-up, which they seem to have been doing well, they literally never need to hit the reset button because people turn 12 every day.
Yes, exactly. Which is why I think 5E might be the "last" edition - or at least major edition change/revision.